5-1. The Puppet Master

4-1. The Puppet Master. New Chapter In Process. Joshua couldn't believe his ears. "Are you serious?" he said to the caller at the other end of the phone. "Yes, they're going to announce it today. I didn't believe it myself so I went to speak to the Minister of Public Safety. She confirmed it." "Isn't she worried about the Jewish reaction. You did mention that to her, didn't you?" Joshua was working out in his mind which media and political contacts he should pressure first to get this stopped. "She wasn't concerned at all. She said Israel declared them a Terrorist organization in 1998 so she didn't see why any Jews would have a problem with it unless they were Kahane Chai supporters. That's exactly how she put it. Sounds like a warning to me. She also said that the U.S and the European Union had already listed them. We were the only ones who hadn't. Israel put them on the list and banned them after that traitor, Yitzak Rabin, was assassinated." "I guess we're all officially terrorists now. We can't even object because we'll end up being investigated!" Joshua could feel the pounding from the tension headache begin. He needed to get a massage, relax, and talk this through with his father, Carl. Carl could find a way out of this mess! His family, and most of their friends, had been Kahane Chai supporters for years. Carl had been one of the original members since it's inception, in 1967, under the name, the Jewish Defense League. After Rabbi Kahane died the organization splintered and different groups adopted different names. The group they supported was the one explicitly listed as Kahane Chai, but the wording emailed to him seemed to encompass all variations and names of pro-Kahane organizations. No apparent legal loopholes here. He picked up the phone and arranged to meet with his father for an early dinner at the hotel. _____________________________ The Weasel sat uncomfortably in the over-size chair, feet barely touching the ground, sipping his $200.00 a bottle wine out of an elegant, long-stemmed, crystal wine glass. "Have a seat, I've ordered dinner. Would you like a glass of wine or something stronger. A martini? scotch?" he asked conscientiously. "A scotch is what I need!" sighed Joshua. "I'll take a double." he said as he sank slowly into the armchair across from the Weasel. "What about you, Monty?" Monty was Joshua's business partner, childhood friend, and brother-in-law. "I'll take the same." he said, as he followed Joshua into the plush private hotel dining room. The waiter responded immediately to the service bell, fixed and served the drinks, then left discreetly by the side service entrance. Several more men entered the room and settled down with drinks including Alvin Salamander, Carl's brother-in-law. The silence in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife, as the men drank to ease the shock of that day's news. Each one sunk deeply into their own thoughts. The Weasel finally broke the silence after dinner was served and the waiter dismissed. "I have a plan, and don't worry, we can talk freely here. The room is sound-proofed and has been wiped by my security team." he smirked, bug-eyes glistening. He noted the wide-eyed surprise and admiration from his relatives, with child-like glee, as he laid out the plan enthusiastically. "I knew we could count on you to come up with a way out of this!" laughed Stanley, the CEO of Ratman stores. The mood switched to serious as the Weasel worked out the details of each person's area of responsibility. "Joshua and Monty have the most work to do. I'll stay close to ensure that everything is covered and that no problems go unresolved. We have to work fast."